How To Get Coconut Oil Out Of Dog Hair

Getting coconut oil out of dog hair is easiest with a grease-cutting dish soap, warm water, and a fine-tooth comb, though stubborn spots may need a little extra help.
 
Coconut oil is wonderful for your dog’s skin and coat, so it’s no surprise it ends up everywhere when you’re treating dry skin or sneaking a healthy spoonful into dinner.
 
The problem is that this oil is thick, greasy, and clingy, which is why so many pet parents panic when their pup looks like a slippery seal.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to get coconut oil out of dog hair without turning bath time into a wrestling match, you’re in the right place.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through why coconut oil sticks to dog hair so stubbornly, the best ways to get coconut oil out of dog hair, and how to keep it from coming back.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

Why Coconut Oil Sticks To Dog Hair

Coconut oil gets stuck in dog hair because of its fatty, waxy texture.
 
Here’s what’s actually happening when coconut oil meets your dog’s coat:
 

1. It Coats Instead of Rinsing Away

Coconut oil is a fat, and water alone simply cannot break down fat.
 
When coconut oil gets into dog hair, it wraps around each strand like a thin film.
 
That film is what makes the coat look greasy and feel sticky long after you’ve given your dog a rinse.
 

2. Dog Hair Is Designed to Trap Oils

Dog coats naturally hold on to oils to stay waterproof and protected.
 
So when you add coconut oil to dog hair, the strands grab it and hold tight, especially in double coats and long fur.
 
That’s why a quick wipe with a towel rarely does the job.
 

3. Cold Oil Turns Solid

Coconut oil solidifies at cooler temperatures.
 
If your dog has coconut oil in their hair and the house is chilly, the oil can harden into tiny waxy clumps.
 
Those clumps cling to the fur and make it even trickier to wash coconut oil out of dog hair.
 

How To Get Coconut Oil Out Of Dog Hair

So how do you actually get coconut oil out of dog hair?
 
You’ll want to attack the grease with the right products and a little patience by:
 

1. Start With a Grease-Cutting Dish Soap

Dawn dish soap is the go-to choice for cutting through coconut oil in dog hair.
 
Dilute a few drops in warm water and work it into the greasy areas with your fingers.
 
Let it sit for a minute or two so it can break down the oil before rinsing thoroughly.
 

2. Use a Degreasing Dog Shampoo

If you’d rather skip the dish soap, a degreasing or clarifying dog shampoo works great too.
 
Lather up, focus on the spots where coconut oil got into the dog hair, and rinse until the water runs clear.
 
You may need to shampoo twice if your dog really went to town with the coconut oil.
 

3. Comb Through With a Fine-Tooth Comb

While the coat is still wet and soapy, run a fine-tooth comb or flea comb through the fur.
 
This helps loosen coconut oil that’s clinging to the undercoat and lifts it off the strands.
 
It’s one of the most underrated tricks for getting coconut oil out of dog hair.
 

4. Blot With a Towel Before Rinsing

Here’s a neat trick: blot the oily areas with a dry towel before you rinse.
 
The towel absorbs a surprising amount of coconut oil from dog hair, so there’s less grease to wash away.
 
Then rinse and repeat the shampoo step if needed.
 

5. Rinse With Warm Water

Warm water keeps coconut oil in dog hair in a liquid state, which makes it easier to wash out.
 
Cold water will cause the oil to firm up again and cling to the coat.
 
So keep the water comfortably warm from start to finish.
 

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Removing Coconut Oil From Dog Hair

Even with good intentions, a few common mistakes can make coconut oil in dog hair harder to remove:
 

1. Using Only Water

Plain water won’t cut coconut oil in dog hair, no matter how long you rinse.
 
You need a surfactant like dish soap or shampoo to lift the fat off the hair.
 

2. Overbathing

It’s tempting to bathe your dog repeatedly until the coconut oil is gone from their hair.
 
But too many baths strip natural oils and can irritate the skin.
 
Two good washes in one session are usually enough.
 

3. Forgetting the Undercoat

Coconut oil loves to hide in the undercoat of double-coated breeds.
 
If you only wash the top layer of fur, you’ll leave coconut oil trapped in the dog hair underneath.
 
Part the fur and work the soap all the way down to the skin.
 

So, How Do You Get Coconut Oil Out Of Dog Hair?

You get coconut oil out of dog hair by using a grease-cutting dish soap or degreasing dog shampoo, warm water, and a fine-tooth comb to lift the oil from the coat.
 
Coconut oil sticks to dog hair because it’s a fat that coats each strand, and water alone can’t break it down.
 
With the right products and a little patience, you can get coconut oil out of dog hair without a struggle.
 
And if your dog picked up coconut oil in their hair during a skin treatment, now you know exactly how to handle it safely.
 
Here’s to a fresh, fluffy pup.